ESPN makes a strong statement about the Tennessee Vols and the College Football Playoff
The Tennessee Vols will enter their matchup against Alabama this upcoming Saturday as an undefeated team for the first time since 1998. In 1998, the Vols won a national championship. Could a similar destiny await Tennessee in 2022? It's a longshot — considering the Vols still have to play Bama and Georgia — but it's […]
The Tennessee Vols will enter their matchup against Alabama this upcoming Saturday as an undefeated team for the first time since 1998.
In 1998, the Vols won a national championship.
Could a similar destiny await Tennessee in 2022?
It's a longshot — considering the Vols still have to play Bama and Georgia — but it's a realistic possibility with UT sitting at 5-0 with wins over three ranked opponents.
ESPN, in fact, doesn't view the Vols as a "pretender" for the playoff. They think Tennessee is a legit contender after the Vols' big 40-13 win against LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday.
Here's what ESPN says has to happen for Tennessee to make the playoff:
Avoid going 0-2 against Alabama and Georgia during the regular season. If the Vols can win the SEC or finish with one loss — to either Alabama or Georgia — it opens up multiple scenarios. Here's another way the SEC can get two teams in: Tennessee beats Alabama on Saturday, but loses to Georgia for its lone loss of the season. Alabama could still win the West, win the SEC, and the one-loss Vols would have a win over the SEC champs — without even playing in the conference title game. Tennessee could also lose to Alabama but beat Georgia to win the East and get another shot at the Tide in the SEC title game. If Tennessee won the SEC, and it was Alabama's only loss of the season, both would likely finish in the top four.
This is likely the Vols' best path — beating Alabama, losing to Georgia, and then Alabama beats Georgia in the SEC Championship game.
It would be similar to the way Alabama reached the BCS Championship game in 2011 (Bama lost to LSU, didn't play in the SEC Championship game, then beat LSU in the BCS Championship game).
This is a realistic path for the Vols. And Alabama has looked very beatable at times this season. With quarterback Bryce Young banged up — his status for the UT game on October 15 is unclear — it makes the Bama game even more winnable for Tennessee.
I never thought Josh Heupel would have the Vols in this position in his second year. And that's not because I doubted him, it's because this was a steep hill for any coach to climb. But here we are and the hype around the Vols is deserved.
Featured image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
